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Transplants and Cardiac Assist Devices

If you’re facing a heart transplant or need a cardiac assist device, you want to know you’re in the hands of experienced and supportive surgeons and cardiovascular specialists with a proven track record. We've performed more than 700 heart transplants over the past four decades, with highly rated outcomes.

Close up of female surgeon

Call (888) 592-1838 to Find a Transplant Specialist

Featured Services

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
  • Heart Failure Services
  • Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Clinic
  • Ventricular Assist Devices

Getting a New Heart

If you have a type of heart disease or defect that cannot be treated with less invasive means, a heart transplant or cardiac assist device may provide a new chance at life. The two most common reasons for these surgeries are cardiomyopathy, a disease that causes weakening and stiffening of the heart muscle, and coronary heart disease, a condition caused by blockages or narrowing of the blood vessels leading to the heart.

During a heart transplant, the surgeon removes the diseased heart and replaces it with a healthy heart provided by a donor and carefully matched to your body. This new organ then takes over pumping blood the way a normal heart would. For most patients, a heart transplant offers a longer, higher-quality life than they ever thought possible.

Male doctor and patient in discussion

Another option for some patients is a ventricular assist device, sometimes called a cardiac assist device. This implanted mechanical device works with your existing heart to help it pump blood correctly. Sometimes, this may work as a short-term solution while you await a heart transplant. In others who are not good candidates for a transplant, it can sometimes work as a long-term treatment. Surgeons in the Sutter Health network remain on the cutting edge of this technology, using a number of different ventricular assist systems to best match your medical need.

Of course, any heart device or transplant operation is a major procedure that requires careful consideration. For nearly 40 years, these surgeries have been performed successfully at Sutter’s two comprehensive transplant centers, Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento and California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. These programs have earned national accolades by groups including the United Network for Organ Sharing and the Leapfrog Group, a consortium of Fortune 500 companies and other large healthcare purchasers.

Our transplant teams guide you and your family through every step of the process, from preparation to recovery. From the minute you enter our program, you’ll receive comprehensive services including:

  • Diagnostic testing to assess the state of your heart and overall health.
  • Life-sustaining treatments, therapies or monitoring services while you await surgery.
  • Education and support services for you and your family members.
  • 24-hour post-surgical care.
  • Cardiac rehabilitation to get you safely moving again.

Most importantly, you’ll receive the very highest quality surgical care provided by experienced transplant surgeons and a large team of cardiovascular experts. Many of these professionals are involved in ongoing cardiovascular research — including clinical trials for ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation — as part of our world-renowned research institutes. This guarantees that you’ll always have access to the most cutting edge equipment and techniques.

Helpful Resources

Man taking blood pressure at home

Life After a Heart Transplant

Thousands of people worldwide receive successful heart transplants each year, but what happens after surgery? Find out what life is like for most heart transplant recipients, and what you can expect once you go home from the hospital.

 

Patient Stories

Scott Kidd Gets a Second Chance

The Oakland A’s scout went from a coma to a heart and kidney transplant in a matter of weeks at Sutter Health CPMC.

After Second Heart Attack, Man Gets Heart Transplant

At age 50 Nick had a second heart attack. The heart damage was so extensive, there was only one promising solution: a heart transplant.

Transplant Patient Gets New Heart and Outlook on Life

After suffering a massive heart attack, Earl Lovell received a life-saving heart transplant at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.

A New Heart and a Milestone

Mitch thought he had the flu. Fast-thinking doctors at Sutter Health found heart failure – just in time.

View All Stories

Cardiovascular Diseases Research

Sutter Health Cardiovascular Diseases Research
Cardiovascular disease affects blood vessels that lead to the heart, brain and kidneys. It can cause heart attack, stroke and many other problems. Cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death and disability in the U.S.

Sutter Health Cardiovascular Diseases Research Sutter Health Cardiovascular Diseases Research

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Brett C. Sheridan, M.D., FACS

Brett C. Sheridan, M.D., FACS

  • Heart Transplant

Teimour Nasirov, M.D., MBA

Teimour Nasirov, M.D., MBA

  • Heart Transplant

Michael T. Ingram, Sr., M.D.

Michael T. Ingram, Sr., M.D.

  • Heart Transplant

Glenn D. Egrie, M.D.

Glenn D. Egrie, M.D.

  • Heart Transplant

G. James Avery, II, M.D.

G. James Avery, II, M.D.

  • Heart Transplant

Conrad M. Vial, M.D.

Conrad M. Vial, M.D.

  • Heart Transplant

Robert Kincade, M.D., FACS

Robert Kincade, M.D., FACS

  • Heart Transplant

View All Related Doctors

Services Near You

California Pacific Medical Center

California Pacific Medical Center

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

View All Related Locations

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